Yankees Land Big Kahuna – MLB Roundup For Jan. 23rd

NEW YORK (AP) —The Yankees have secured the services of highly prized Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (mah-sah-HEE'-roh tah-NAH'kah). Club co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner says the team has agreed to a $155 million, seven-year contract with the right-hander.

Along with the contract the Yankees must pay a $20 million fee to the Japanese team of the 25-year-old. The acquisition of Tanaka caps an offseason that saw the Yankees add Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran.

Tanaka was 24-0 with a 1.27 earned run average last year, leading his team to the Japan Series title.

In other baseball news:

— The New York Mets settled their last salary arbitration case, agreeing to a one-year contract with Lucas Duda (DOO'-dah) worth $1,637,500. Duda hit .223 with 15 homers, 33 RBIs and 102 strikeouts in 318 at-bats last year.

— Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt is dealing with an undisclosed health issue and will not be a guest instructor for the Philadelphia Phillies at spring training this year. Schmidt still plans to visit camp in the middle of March, but the Phillies say their former third baseman won't serve as an instructor for the first time in more than decade so he can "remain near his doctors."

— Outfielder Grady Sizemore has agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox. A three-time All-Star, the 31-year-old has played eight major league seasons, all with Cleveland. He hit .269 with 139 homers and 458 RBIs.

— Former slugger Bo Jackson is back with the Chicago White Sox, this time as a team ambassador. Jackson will make appearances for the organization and serve as a team representative in the community and throughout baseball.